This came in from Zoe Bartholomew, one of our stellar survivors, and recently published author of an incredible book that we are excited to have featured on an upcoming podcast:
"I find it interesting that people don't want to even start dialogue about CSA and victims don't want to either. So I guess as long as ppl don't talk about it openly and honestly it will continue. Sometimes I was more angry with the people who should've listened and believed me then the ones who victimized me. That's one of the major reasons I pursued writing the book because people need to accept CSA does happen. I've had adults tell me to my face that they didn't want to hear that Id been abused. I was an adult and so were they. It's as if you don't talk about it then it doesn't exist."
Zoe, I couldn't agree more. My subjective opinion:
I think the shame surrounding victims of sexual abuse is so great that even talking about it throws alarms up the victim. Meaning, "Red alert, this happened to me. If I talk about it, someone will know." Or possibly, "Ahh, I swore to never tell! If I talk about this, I'll be telling."
So, they don't.
I believe, and am starting to get the research and the stats to back this up, little boys are abused as much as little girls. The shame is so great for these little boys, that when they grow up, they don't want to talk about it. I don't believe that all men who are abused turn into perps themselves. But, they have that extra "myth" to contend with. Resulting in EVEN more adults, particularly adult men, who don't even want to go near the subject.
Just my thoughts that are rapidly forming to be a missive on "Men Survivors."
This came in from Zoe Bartholomew, one of our stellar survivors, and recently published author of an incredible book that we are excited to have featured on an upcoming podcast:
"I find it interesting that people don't want to even start dialogue about CSA and victims don't want to either. So I guess as long as ppl don't talk about it openly and honestly it will continue. Sometimes I was more angry with the people who should've listened and believed me then the ones who victimized me. That's one of the major reasons I pursued writing the book because people need to accept CSA does happen. I've had adults tell me to my face that they didn't want to hear that Id been abused. I was an adult and so were they. It's as if you don't talk about it then it doesn't exist."
Zoe, I couldn't agree more. My subjective opinion:
I think the shame surrounding victims of sexual abuse is so great that even talking about it throws alarms up the victim. Meaning, "Red alert, this happened to me. If I talk about it, someone will know." Or possibly, "Ahh, I swore to never tell! If I talk about this, I'll be telling."
So, they don't.
I believe, and am starting to get the research and the stats to back this up, little boys are abused as much as little girls. The shame is so great for these little boys, that when they grow up, they don't want to talk about it. I don't believe that all men who are abused turn into perps themselves. But, they have that extra "myth" to contend with. Resulting in EVEN more adults, particularly adult men, who don't even want to go near the subject.
Just my thoughts that are rapidly forming to be a missive on "Men Survivors."